SUPREME COMMANDER

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22154, 28 September 1943, Page 3

SUPREME COMMANDER

BRITAIN TO DECIDE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tr-I. copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 26 The appointment of the United Slates Chief-of Staff. General G. C. Marshall, as virtual Commander-in-Chief of all British and American forces depended on conclusions reached by Mr Churchill on his return to London, says the New York Times correspondent in Washington, Arthur Kroik. The correspondent says that he received this comment from an authoritativle source on reports that General Marshall would receive such an appointment. His informant added that only Mr Chjarchill and Mr Roosevelt knew whether the step would be taken, as it was left at the Quebec Conference dependent on Mr Churchill’s conclusions. Should General Marshall be sent to London to take over a supreme command, it would have to be decided whether he could remain Chief-of-Staff, and who would be acting Chief-of-Staff. The spokesman added that General Marshall would choose the acting-Chief-of-Staff, and it would not be the Chief of the Services of Supply, Lieu-tenant-General B. B. Somervell. American Suggestion

General Marshall’s appointment was tentatively suggested by the Americans at Quebec. Reports that it was at British suggestion was unfounded. The spokesman, adds the correspondent, continued that General Marshall had declined to express an opinion on the proposal, and would do whatever Mr Roosevelt thought best.

General Marshall’s invaluable work as Chief-ot-Staff made the decision difficult for Mr Roosevelt. Transfer to London would separate General Marshall from close contact with operations in the South Pacific, which would be unfortunate. Even if he became supreme AngloAmerican commander of all fronts, General Marshall would be a long way from the ideal planning centre for the whole war, which was Washington.